For most Jackson Middle School seventh-graders, Monday's first day of school was no big deal, considering they started at the school last year as sixth-graders. For Emma Sievers, however, the start of the new year brings a new school, new people and new challenges. Until this school year, Emma attended a private school in Jackson.

"I am nervous and excited. It's a new start. It is good to meet new people and try new things," she said.

However, she said the challenge of leaving a smaller school to attend a larger one does weigh on her mind.

"I am a little worried about finding my classes and my way around the building. I am going from a small school with one hallway to a larger school with three hallways," she said.

Emma is active in area sports and gymnastics and said she already knows many students at Jackson Middle School and looks forward to reconnecting with them. For a seventh-grade girl leaving a private school, however, there is an additional concern: what to wear. Emma has worn a school uniform consisting of plaid jumpers, khaki pants and polo-style shirts since kindergarten. The move to public school presents new options for her and new worries for her mother, Eileen Sievers.

Jackson Middle School principal Rodney Pensel directs seventh graders Tristan Cronenbold and Dylan Murakami to classes following lunch on Monday. (CARRIE BARTHOLOMEW)

"Every day she has to get ready in time for me to check what she is wearing. I have veto power," Eileen said.

By the end of her first day, however, Emma said she was starting to feel a little more relaxed about her new school.

"It was interesting. I did get lost a lot. Most people were helpful, though. Tomorrow will be better," she said. As Emma adjusts to her new surroundings she said she does plan to get involved with a variety of academic and extracurricular activities.

Emma was not alone in transferring to the Jackson School District this year. Jackson superintendent Dr. Ron Anderson said many of the schools reported having more transfer students than usual. However, Anderson said at this point there was no way to confirm that.

He estimated the school district's enrollment was around 4,650 students. Several students are still registering for school, while some have transferred out of the district but have yet to complete the accompanying paperwork. Those factors will cause enrollment numbers to shift. Anderson said last year's enrollment was 4,646 and that this year's final count will be similar.

The superintendent said the day was a success districtwide, but particularly at South Elementary where recent construction brought changes to the school's traffic pattern. Highway 25 in front of the school and the school parking lot have been undergoing improvements to ease congestion.

Parents were urged to proceed with caution because new turning lanes and raised crosswalks on the parking lot were in place. Anderson said the school had 10 to 15 teachers and staff members on hand to help direct parents through the parking lot Monday. He was at South for afternoon pickup and said it may take some time for parents to grow accustomed to the changes, but the new system will be helpful and workable. Additional turn lanes and a traffic signal are scheduled to be completed by the middle of September.

cbartholomew@semissourian.com

243-8600

Pertinent Addresses

1651 W. Independence St., Jackson, MO

1701 S. Hope St., Jackson, MO